Stepladder



A. J. REMALIA.

, STEPLADDER.-

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1919.

1,337,666. Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET l. O Q Q N 0 L I J r INVENTOR.

AREMQHCL/ WW ATTORNEY.

A. J. REMALIA.

STEPLADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1919 Patented A r. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTOR m 7 C! ATTORNEY.

ARTHUR 3'. REEMALIA, OF WARREN, OHIO.

STEPLADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ap1n20, 1920.

Application filed February 25, 1919. Serial No. 279,148.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ARTHUR J. REMALIA, a citizen of the United States, and resident of lVarren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ulric, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stepladders, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to ladders and more especially to improvements in collapsible ladders having slidaloly connected sections, and to propped ladders such as are usually known as step ladders.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a ladder comprising slidably connected sections constructed and assembled in a novel manner, whereby the ladder sections can be slid and nested to gether in compact arrangement, so as to be conveniently stored, transported or carried about, and permitting the ladder to be easily extended to the desired height within the limit for which the ladder is constructed.

Another object is the provision of a s ep or propped ladder employing two ladders, one bracing or propping the other, and each being of collapsible and adjustable construction in order that the device can be adjusted to different heights, and can be adjusted to be set on stairs or on other irregular sup ports or surfaces for convenience in paper hanging, cleaning, repairs or the like.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a ladder which can be manufactured at comparatively small cost, which is simple in construction, and which is convenient to use and which will be substantial when erected.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a side elevation of the ladder in erected position, portions being broken away to show the shelf.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the ladder.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 to show one of the latches of the sections of the ladder.

Fig. 4 is a rear View of the ladder in collapsed or nested position.

5 1s a side elevation of the parts as in Fig. 4.

big. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l to show the dove tailing of the ladder sections together, the tongues being shown as integral with the stile bars or sections for sake of clearness.

In carrying out the invention, front and rear ladders 1 and 2 are provided, which have similar constructions and which converge upwardly to the top step 3, in order that each ladder will serve as a brace or prop for the other, thus enabling a person to ascend and descend on either ladder, which is especially desirable in close places, on stairs, and the like. The ladders are of similar construction, but the rear ladder 2 being used less, may be of lighter construction, as seen in Fig. l, and each ladder comprises a pair of stiles consisting of slidably connected bars or sections 41 disposed side by side, one at the inner side of the other from the bottom up. The bars a of each pair of stiles are arranged in pairs at the opposite sides of the ladder, and step 5 is carried by each pair of bars, excepting the lowest pair, the ends of the steps 5 being secured within transverse mortises Gprovided in the bars a neartheir lower ends. The steps are thus secured to the barsel at the lower ends thereof and with said bars form U- shaped ladder sections which are slidably mounted one within "the other from the lower section upward, so that the ladder sections can be nested together as seen in Fig. 4-, and extended as seen in Fig. 2. In order to slidably connect and guide the sections of each ladder, the bars l thereof are provided at their inner sides with longitudinal dove tailed grooves T, which may extend from end to end of said bars, and dove tailed tongues are secured longitudinally to the outer sides of the bars, excepting the lower most ones, and fit slidably'in said grooves of the next outer or lower bars l. These tongues 8 need not extend above the upper ends of the bars a in which they fit, when the ladder is extended, so that such tongues will not mar the appearance of the ladder when erected. The tongue and groove connections of the sections of each ladder thus guide the sections for relative longitudinal movement, in order that the ladder can be readily extended to the desired length and can be collapsed with the sections nested one within the other, as seen in Fig. 4. For

this purpose, the ladder sections are of decreasing length, from the lowest section upwardly in order that these sections can be nested completely together, it being noted that the sections also diminish in width from the lowest section upward as well as decreasing in length, to permit of the nes ing of the sections within the outline of the lowermost U-shaped ladder section which is the largest in size.

The upper end of the ladder 1 is preferably made rigid with the top step 3, such as by fastening the upper ends of the upper bars of the ladder 1 to the step 3 and flanges 9 secured thereto, while the rear ladder 2 is pivoted, as at 9, to the flanges 9 to swing forwardly and rearwardly toward and away from the ladder 1. Folding braces 10 are connected to and located between the ladders 1 and 2 for bracing the ladders apart, as seen in Fig. 1, and permitting them to be folded together as usual in step ladders.

In order to retain the sections of each ladder in position when the ladder is extended, latches are provided for that purpose, and, as shown, the sections of the ladder are provided with transverse bores 11 extending longitudinally through the steps 5, and through the bars 4. A pair of rods 12, comprising the latches, are slidable in each bore 11 and project from the opposite ends thereof, to snap into apertures or sockets 13 with which. the bars of the next lower ladder sections are provided. The rods or latches 12 have depending finger pieces 14- at their adjacent ends, and said latches are projected by suitable springs 16 so as to snap into the apertures 13 when the ladder is extended, thus automatically latching the ladder sections. The latches can be readily retracted by pressing the finger pieces 14 together, thus enabling the ladder sections to be slid relatively. it is also preferable to provide the bars with recesses or sockets 17 into which the latches can snap when the ladder is telescoped thus preventing accidental opening up of the ladder. Each section of the ladder, excepting the lowermost bars 1 is provided with the latches in order that it can be retained in position relatively to the next lower section, and in extending the ladder, any number of the sections can be extended, to adjust the height of the ladder. Thus, when it is desired not to have the ladder of full length, some of the sections can be left in telescoped position while the others are extended and latched. Thus, both ladders 1 and 2 being of extensible telescopic construction, enables each ladder to be adjusted the same way, for use on level surfaces, and either ladder can be adjusted longer or shorter than the other. In order that the ladder can be set on stairs and the like, one -or more sections of either ladder being readily telescoped as needed so that the two ladders can rest on steps at different heights. The lower ends of the bars l project below the corresponding steps 5 to seat on the next lower steps and allow clearances between the steps for the finger pieces 14-.

A shelf 18 is provided for convenience in supporting a paint can, bucket, or other objects during the use of the ladder, and as shown, this shelf 18 is pivoted, as at 19, to and between the stiles of the rear ladder 2 within the upper section thereof, so that said shelf can be swung inwardly between the two ladders, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 1 or can be swung outwardly as seen in full lines in said figure, as desired. The shelf 18 has stops 20 to contact with the step of the respective ladder section to support said shelf in either position. This shelf 18 can be swung within the corresponding ladder section when the ladder is folded or collapsed, so as to be out of the way.

It is also preferable, although not necessary to provide transverse strips or cleats 21, secured to the rear edges of the bars 1 of the respective ladder sections to assist in guiding the sections for sliding movement. Thus, the cleats 21 are secured to some of the bars t and extend across the rear edges of other bars to slide along same when the sections are slid relatively, and it is preferable to arrange the cleats 21 so that they move in rear of the steps 5 when the ladder is extended.

The present device can be used generally where a step ladder would come in handy, and has the advantage of being adjustable in height, when used as an ordinary step-ladder. AS an additional advantage, the device can be adjusted to be set on stairs and similar surfaces, and supports, and enables the user to ascend and descend either side. in addition to the foregoing advantages, the device can also be collapsed or nested into very small space, so as to be easily carried about, or to be transported or stored or boxed within small compass.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A ladder comprising a series of sections each having a pair of side bars and a step secured at its ends to the side bars near the lower ends thereof, said sections fitting one within the other, the adjacent sides of said bars having dovetailed grooves and tongues longitudinally thereof fitting together slidably for guiding said sections for movement to extend and nest the sections of the ladder, said steps decreasing in length and the bars decreasing inlen gth from the lower to the upper ladder sections in succession so that said sections can nest one within the other entirely within the lower section, and latches carried by said behind the ladders and having their ends steps having finger pieces extending therefrom, said side bars having sockets for the engagen'ient of the latches and the lower ends of the bars extending below the corresponding steps to seat on the next lower steps to provide clearances between the steps for said finger pieces.

2. A ladder construction embodying a pair of ladders, each comprising a series of U-shaped sections fitting siidably one within the other to nest together, a top step, the upper ends 01 said ladder being connected to the top step and one being hinged so that the ladders can he swung together,

the sections of the two ladders corresponding 15 with one another, and the sections of each ladder decreasing in width and decreasing in length "from the lower to the upper ladder section in succession, so that the sections of each laddercan nest together completely within the lower section, and individual latches carried by the sections of each ladder for latching the sections when extended, so that either ladder can be adjusted to different heights.

in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR J. REMALIA. 

